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Writer's pictureFrancesca De Franco

A Sonnet in Every Sip: High Clandon's Shakespearean Cuvée 2019 Prestige Vintage Brut


Shakespearean Cuvée 2019 Prestige Vintage Brut


High Clandon, a boutique vineyard established 20 years ago on the chalky limestone of the Surrey Hills (which boast the same geological stratum as that of the Champagne region), produces elegant long-aged vintage sparkling wines.


The vineyard releases just one cuvée annually, created from the Champagne grapes of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay and bottle-aged for at least five years. The focus here is not volume but purely quality berries, and the viticultural interventions and fastidious hand-manipulating of the vines and grapes have helped earn High Clandon's wines a clutch of awards. Every vintage since inception has achieved major accolades and many

international golds.


I had the pleasure of meeting vineyard founders Sibylla and Bruce Tindale at the estate's wonderful ‘Art & Sculptures in the Vineyard’ event, which heralded the release of the Shakespearean Cuvée Prestige Vintage Brut 2019. Their passion, exuberance and dedication were evident and - as I discovered - imbued their latest offering.


The Shakespearean Cuvée’ 2019 Prestige Vintage Brut



Shakespearean Cuvée 2019 Prestige Vintage Brut

The already medal-winning Shakespearean Cuvée was released on June, 30th 2024 and named to mark the 400th anniversary of the first printing of Shakespeare’s First Folio,


A blend of Chardonnay (50%), Pinot Noir (30%) and Pinot Meunier 20%, the Shakespearean Cuvée has four years of lees ageing with six months post-disgorgement ageing. On pouring, you're greeted with a vibrant mousse. Hints of fresh apple and peach combined with a richer tarte tatin are on the nose. There's a fresh, crispness on the palate but the ripe, flavourful fruit yielded from the warm summer months of 2019 give a roundness and depth, which is accompanied by a brioche butteriness and a delicate nuttiness and merest hint of spice on the long and pleasing finish. Delightful!

For me, it has earned its appellation of the quintessence of English quality sparkling wine.










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